Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Death in the Family


  Never thought it would be complicated when it comes to having a family member pass away. First it was having to sleep late in the evening all during Daddy's wake. On all the four nights at the funeral parlor, Toto, youngest brother of mine, would take on the job of staying for the night and going back home for a respite next morning and be back again in the afternoon. Visitors, relatives and friends alike, came to pay their last respect. Two sisters-in-law, Rose and Cherry, took turns preparing and serving foodstuffs, coffee, or fruit juice. Coversations among us and guests mainly were about "the good old days" and on how most had grown old throughout the years. That I relished more. Nostalgia.
  And came the day, daddy's remains had to be taken to the crematory just at back of the parlor. We were asked, quite politely as usual, by the funeral supervisor if we would like to view Daddy right before he is rolled into the furnace. Naturally we all agreed. The cremation room has a relatively large viewing window much like that of a hospital's nursery room. When the window curtains were pulled aside, daddy's body was already on a cardboard-like mat and covered up to the neck with a white sheet. Inside too is the big furnace on one side of the room and a number of empty caskets. After several heart-saddening moments, he was then brought to the furnace and slid into it. An hour or less, a bronze metal urn was brought to us and in it was daddy's ashes. Mother and together with my other siblings and their own families were then treated to dinner bringing with us the urn that was wrapped in a velvety clothbag. That was December 1 last year.
  January 7, 2010, daddy was finally "laid to rest" at the Sta. Clara de Montefalco ossuary after temporarily being placed at our home for many days.

My "ZDnet" Bundle

My "Chess" Bundle

Reading Materials and Film Media Galore

Get ready to Rumble